Mikel Arteta has backed one player to have ‘big impact’ on the Arsenal team as he nears a return from injury.
The Gunners have been largely fortunate with injuries this campaign, with the majority of their key players being available throughout this season, helping them to launch a Premier League title charge.
Despite this, Jurrien Timber has been one notable absentee from team sheets this term, after the summer signing suffered an ACL injury in Arsenal’s opening day win over Nottingham Forest.
But manager Arteta has announced the Dutch defender, who joined from Ajax ahead of this season in a £40million deal, is nearing a return to the pitch.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s next league game against Aston Villa, the Spaniard issue an update on Timber’s progress: “He has still got a few steps to make. He needs to play a game at least with the Under-23s. He is going to have an in-house game soon as well.
“He has done everything in training, now it’s getting that match fitness and having people around and starting to compete in matches, which is different to training.”
While it remains unclear if the Dutchman will return in time to help his team in their quest for Premier League and Champions League glory, this news will certainly be welcomed by his supporters.
Much was promised when the highly-rated player first arrived at the Emirates, and Arteta revealed that supporters can expect Timber to be a key figure for his side when does take to the field again.
When asked what the 22-year-old would bring to the team, the 42-year-old told his press conference: “Hopefully a lot.
“For everything that we see in training, and the time that he was fit, I think he’s going to have a big, big impact on the team.”
The two-time Eredivisie winner has already impressed at his new team, as he put in an impressive performance in the Community Shield final against Manchester City, which saw the Gunners win on penalties having been locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
While Timber’s display in the season’s curtain-raiser was ultimately his last before the ill-fated Forest encounter, his manager’s words since his injury are further proof that Arsenal have high hopes for his time at the club.
Speaking in August about the young talent’s spell on the sidelines, Arteta said: “We recruited him with clear intentions, 1712946966 we have to adapt.”
And earlier this month the Arsenal boss heaped praise on the versatile defender: “Jurrien has a quality that nobody else has in the back line to actually effect, especially in the attacking phases, things that we do, in two or three positions.”
Given his clear confidence in Timber’s abilities, Arteta will no doubt be hopeful of the Dutch international returning to the starting line-up before the end of this campaign.
The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League, leading Liverpool on goal difference in a thrilling three-way title race, as well as bidding for a first-ever Champions League crown.
And the reintroduction of Timber could prove to be a secret weapon as the season reaches a decisive stage.
News Summary:
- Forgotten Arsenal star edges closer to action as Mikel Arteta details return plans
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